The Bison women's hockey team finishes two weekends in a row at home as they host the Saskatchewan Huskies at the Wayne Fleming Arena during the January 29-30 weekend. Puck drop versus the Huskies will be 7 p.m. CT on Friday and 4 p.m. CT on Saturday.
This is another important series as Manitoba battles for a high playoff spot as they now are in fifth spot in the Canada West standings entering the weekend with a 10-10-0-2 record for 32 points but only five points out of third place held by Regina. Saskatchewan is just ahead of Manitoba in fourth place with an 8-8-3-3- record for 33 points (Canada West women's hockey rewards three points for regulation win).
This is the second weekend series between the two teams this season as they played earlier in November at Saskatchewan and the Bisons split the weekend (OTL 3-2 on Nov. 20/15 and W 3-1 on Nov. 21/15).
Manitoba is 4-6 at home so far this season and last win in a conference game at home was on November 28 with 1-0 victory over Regina.
Manitoba and Saskatchewan have seven players in the Canada West Top 15 scoring. For the Bisons, second year forward Alanna Sharman is tied for ninth with 16 points (eight goals, eight assists) while third year forward Alana Serhan (3g, 11a) is tied for 11th with 14 points and third year eligible (first year with Bisons) forward Karissa Kirkup (4g, 9a) is also tied for 14th at 13 points. For the Huskies, Julia Flinton (3g, 19a) is third with 22 points, Marley Ervine (8g, 12a) is tied for fifth with 20 points, Kaitlin Willoughby (7g, 10a) is eighth at 17 points and Lauren Zary (6g, 8a) is tied for 11th.
In the nets, Bison third year netminder Rachel Dyck has played in 18 out of 22 conference regular season games and in third place in Canada West with a 1.71 Goals Against Average and fourth in Save Percentage at .928 and tied for fifth with eight conference wins. Both Dyck and third year goalie Amanda Schubert are tied for fourth with two shutouts apiece.
Bison Notes: Manitoba will be look to take advantage as they play four of their last six Canada West games (Saskatchewan, UBC) at home to finish the conference regular season on February 13.
